Atlanta, GA
Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons predictions: How Steelers can bring home Week 1 win
![Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons predictions: How Steelers can bring home Week 1 win Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons predictions: How Steelers can bring home Week 1 win](https://www.pennlive.com/resizer/v2/QOMNNVXPVJDURK4BBAYFQLYRVM.jpg?auth=85797d6c132444a1288c6a4c796fc1d3a455d3bc88a268bdc140b275560496ca&width=1280&quality=90)
The Pittsburgh Steelers will kick off their 2024 season by traveling to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to face the Atlanta Falcons. It’s put up or shut up time for the Steelers, who had a hype train heading into training camp only to be derailed by a lifeless, winless preseason.
The Steelers head to Atlanta as slight underdogs and with a huge question on who will start at quarterback, but on a neutral field, oddsmakers would have you believe this game is a pick’em. Whoever is at quarterback will look to impress as Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith returns to Atlanta after they fired him last season.
Here’s my Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons predictions:
PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Watch out for the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line. They will decide if the Steelers offense can move the ball at all. Against this talented Falcons secondary, there is very little chance that the Steelers will burn the Falcons much, even down the field. However, if they can run the ball, that could open up chunk plays over the middle of the field and afford George Pickens some one-on-one opportunities. The Steelers should trust Pickens to win those. Spencer Anderson, Dan Moore Jr., Broderick Jones, and Zach Frazier all have something to prove. Matt Judon, Grady Jarrett, and David Onyemata are no slouches. The Steelers need a good showing from this unit.
DON’T BE SURPRISED IF … The Steelers defensive line thoroughly dominates this Falcons offensive line. It is a good offensive line for the Falcons, but this Steelers defensive line, with their edge rushers, is deep and dangerous. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is likely to heat up Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is coming off an Achilles injury. That means Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, and Payton Wilson, with maybe a hint of Beanie Bishop, will be screaming off the edge on some blitzes. Even against a good group, the Steelers have the guys to win, especially on the interior. Keeanu Benton against Drew Dalman is one in the Steelers’ favor. If Larry Ogunjobi can carry over his strong preseason, too, the Steelers have a sneaky chance to put the pressure on Cousins and cause some havoc.
PREDICTION: The Steelers have a lot of mismatches going against them in this game. On defense, they can match the Falcons tit-for-tat for the most part. However, Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson, as a trio with Cousins, distribute the ball, and it feels too good not to find the end zone once or twice. They will test the undrafted free agent, Bishop, too. However, where this game loses me is the Steelers offense. That offensive line is at a disadvantage, and the Steelers do not have the weapons to exploit a much-improved Falcons secondary. The Steelers will have to cause some turnovers, no matter which quarterback is under center. And if it’s Fields, he has to take care of the ball. Either way, I think the Steelers’ defense plays well, but I can’t quite see the offense pulling them over the finish line. Falcons 20, Steelers 13
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Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Falcons get big boost before Pittsburgh Steelers game with return of star TE
![Atlanta Falcons get big boost before Pittsburgh Steelers game with return of star TE Atlanta Falcons get big boost before Pittsburgh Steelers game with return of star TE](https://www.pennlive.com/resizer/v2/YUCZ4KMGEZD2HLKUPZSSEA33FE.jpg?auth=c43e4133563dff36a005b6edc530c7a2c3dcca405fa544872d221601ff424782&width=1280&quality=90)
The Atlanta Falcons got good news before they faced the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Star tight end Kyle Pitts practiced in full for the second straight day and was not on the injury report, meaning that he will play against the Steelers. Pitts suffered the injury a few weeks back, but Falcons head coach Raheem Morris did not seem concerned about the injury for the former first-round pick.
Pitts has dealt with multiple injuries in the past, including a torn MCL in his knee that cost him a significant amount of time early in his career. Even last year, Pitts did not look totally healthy as he was playing coming off surgery on that knee.
As for the rest of the Falcons, they seem relatively healthy. Cornerback Antonio Hamilton Sr. will miss the game with a groin injury, but he is a special teams piece and the team’s fifth cornerback. So, it is not a huge loss for the Falcons at first glance. All other players that appeared on the injury report, including linebacker Nate Landman, who was dealing with a quad injury, will play.
So, the Falcons are getting healthy, while the Steelers are a bit banged up heading into their first regular season game. The game will be played at 1 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
- BETTING: Check out our guide to the best PA sportsbooks, where our team of sports betting experts has reviewed the experience, payout speed, parlay options and quality of odds for multiple sportsbooks.
Atlanta, GA
Threats to schools in metro Atlanta
![Threats to schools in metro Atlanta Threats to schools in metro Atlanta](https://images.foxtv.com/c107833-mcdn.mp.lura.live/expiretime=2082787200/be9adb37584d25c32ab07d0d80903dccf7f035d388c23f29b7ae7157f08ea574/iupl/EFF/DF2/1280/720/EFFDF2330DD09BDD404AD13D38CB5F4C.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Multiple schools in the metro Atlanta area have received threats after the mass shooting earlier this week in Barrow County. So far, none of the threats have been real threats but law enforcement is taking all threats seriously.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan dies
![Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan dies Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan dies](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/branded_news/3922/live/f36cdee0-6bf6-11ef-a003-ed2c605f88a8.png)
Tributes have poured in for US rapper Rich Homie Quan, after his death was confirmed by authorities on Thursday.
The artist, who was in his early 30s, passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, Fulton County Medical Examiner said.
The cause of his death is not known, with local medical authorities saying an autopsy is scheduled for Friday.
Rich Homie Quan, whose legal name was Dequantes Devontay Lamar, was one of Atlanta’s best known modern rappers.
He became a huge name in the rap scene in the mid 2010s, finding mainstream success with the 2013 hit Type of Way, which he followed up with the popular Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh) in 2015.
He was nominated for multiple BET and BET Hip Hop Awards, such as best new artist and the people’s champ award.
He also collaborated with several big names in the industry, including 2 Chainz, Young Thug, Gucci Mane and Trinidad James.
Born in October 1989, Rich Homie Quan was the oldest of three siblings, and was raised in a single-parent home, according to Atlanta gig venue, Masquerade. He originally dreamt of becoming a baseball player, but eventually turned to music.
He spoke frankly about his early life in various interviews, and spent 15 months in jail in 2011 for his involvement in a series of burglaries.
Once out of jail, he threw himself into his music and went on to become a huge name in the rap scene in the mid 2010s.
Since his death was announced, tributes have poured in for the artist from across the rap world.
Singer Jacquees was one of the first to pay his respects. “Rest in Peace my brother Rich Homie Quan”, he said on X. “I love you for Life,” he added, calling the rapper a “legend” in a subsequent post.
2 Chainz posted a tribute on Instagram, saying: “Dam lil brother, we just spoke about shooting a video, special prayer for you and your family, and pray for any and everybody that’s dealing with something my condolences bru”.
Rapper Quavo also posted on Instagram, writing above an image of himself, Rich Homie Quan, and several other artists: “May God be with us, never saw this being apart of our journey”.
Engineer Alex Tumay, who worked Rich Homie Quan over the years, said the artist was “[o]ne of the nicest people I ever worked with and a true artist. Absolutely crushing news. RIP”.
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